ENHANCED MESOPHASE FORMATION OF PETROLEUM PITCH BY POLYAROMATIC HYDROCARBON ADDITION

Enhanced mesophase yield was achieved for A-240 pitch by addition of a romatic hydrocarbon compounds (anthracene and acenaphthylene) as nucle ating agents. A-240 pitch was acid/solvent extracted prior to adding t he aromatic hydrocarbons. The mesophase yields increased by significan t amounts at 1 wt% addition of the nucleating agents, but decreased at 3 wt% addition. A source of Bronsted acids was required to initiate t he catalytic reaction enhancing the mesophase formation.